most memorable card you got opening a pack

[ejharrington]

First day 1979-80 Topps hockey came out, bought 9 packs at about 35 cents per pack which was a huge sum of money for me at the time. My hope was to get a card of my favorite player, Terry O'Reilly. Sure enough, sitting on the school bleachers, the first card of the first pack I opened, there he was. I'll never forget it.

[drcy]

I've pulled a number of rookies: Bird/Magic, Ozzie Smith, Rickey Henderson, et al in the "old days." I also pulled an expensive atomic refractor way back when.

[hysell]

In 1976 I opened up a pack & got the Hank Aaron , the Babe Ruth & throw in the Pete Rose card , also ! Would be a nice set of players for a team

[icollectDCsports]

The Hank Aaron "New All Time Home Run King" card in 1974. Hadn't seen one before I got mine in a pack and I thought that is was so cool, and I still do.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I started in 1965. I am sure I pulled numerous Mantles over the next five years but it wasn't a big deal at the time. Not to mention every other card through the early 70s although I'm not sure the 67 high numbers ever made it down our way.

I remember in 71 my brother and I each ordered a complete set of Topps for something like 15 bucks each.

[JoeDfan]

When UD Be a Player hockey first came out in the 90's, I spent $10 and bought one pack, knowing the (ex) wife would kill me, as we didn't have much money at the time.
I sat in the car, and ripped it, to enjoy my moment before I went home and faced her wrath.
And I pulled a Gretzky signed card out (which was THE premier chase card of the whole set). I was jumping up and down and ran back into the store to get a top loader, and the guy offered me something like $600 or $700 for it. I declined (Beckett had it at $900 and rising). Which was stupid, because I still have it today, and I think it is worth maybe $75 or $100?
Oh well, it was an awesome moment!

[JoeDfan]

Also, 1991 Topps claimed they "randomly" inserted some vintage cards in packs. I think I have opened a million packs, and I still buy them for the error cards. Last year, I ACTUALLY got a vintage card in one of them! Like Bert Blyleven or something like that.
WOHOOOO!!!!!

[tschock]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I started in 1965. I am sure I pulled numerous Mantles over the next five years but it wasn't a big deal at the time. Not to mention every other card through the early 70s although I'm not sure the 67 high numbers ever made it down our way.

I remember in 71 my brother and I each ordered a complete set of Topps for something like 15 bucks each.

I ordered the 72 set from a dealer out of TSN at the beginning of the season for about the same amount. It arrived in 4 or 5 shipments over the next few months as the series came out. I still have most of the original set (except for upgrading some really OC cards over the years).

But that didn't stop me from buying packs from the corner store though during the summer, because I couldn't wait for the series to arrive. LOL

[invest]

I grew up in Canada in the late 70's and 80's. I collected Hockey Cards, because that's what ever kid did in Canada back then. I had multiple Gretzky RC's that I pulled, but unfortunately I grew up near Calgary and was a Flames fan and hated the Oilers, so all his cards ended up in the spokes of my bike or shot with my BB gun. My brother did the same thing.

To this day we shake our heads and laugh on what might have been if we would have saved even one of them.

Oh well, lol....

Troy

PS: Go Lanny McDonald!!!!

[Touch'EmAll]

In 1974, as a kid growing up 30 minutes from Anaheim Stadium, I opened a pack of Topps cards and got my hearts desire - a 1974 Topps Nolan Ryan!

I remember sitting in the back seat of my mom's station wagon, thrilled yet at the same time pissed off. You see, the prior year, 1973, Ryan had 21 wins for a sub-.500 team, had not one but 2 no-hitters ! And broke the single season strikeout record held by Sandy Koufax ! An absolutely amazing year. Then the post season Cy Young awards came out...and they gave it to Jim Palmer.

Aw, c'mon folks, Jim Palmer ? Yeah he was really good, had the benefit of playing on a really good team, but really? Jim Palmer over Nolan Ryan with the year Ryan just had. Unbelievable! Who rigged the voting?

Could you imagine today if a pitcher were to have 21 wins (for a .488 team)...And 2 no-hitters...And break one of the most amazing of all single season pitching records with 383 strikeouts! Jeez, they would grant him to sainthood!

But at least I had my Ryan card.

[mr2686]

Originally Posted by icollectDCsports

The Hank Aaron "New All Time Home Run King" card in 1974. Hadn't seen one before I got mine in a pack and I thought that is was so cool, and I still do.

Same here. That Aaron card was actually in the first pack and the top card that I got that year. What a great year it was.